Local boy Youngstown diabetes ambassador at annual Akron walk

BOARDMAN

Carter Lathom and his family heard a diagnosis that would change their lives after Carter spent three days at Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley in March 2015.

Carter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a deadly disease if left unchecked.

Many thought he’d have a difficult time adjusting or at the very least, coming to terms with it as a second-grader.

A year later, Carter, 8, has the role as the 2016 Red Strider ambassador for the American Diabetes Association, representing people diagnosed with diabetes.

Benjamin Fortin, associate manager of online engagement of the nonprofit association, said each year they chose an ambassador who exemplifies what life is like living with Type 1 or 2 diabetes.

Diabetes results from having too much sugar in the blood. According to the WebMD website, Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin.

Carter will be recognized as the ambassador representing Youngstown at the Akron Step Out Walk on Sept. 18 at the University of Akron beside the Akron ambassador.

Read more about the walk and how Carter handle's his condition in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.